Rhonda Vincent and The Rage Returns to A-State’s Fowler Center for Sunday, Sept. 22, Bluegrass Show

09/06/2013

JONESBORO – Rhonda Vincent and The Rage will open the 2013-14 Season of the Riceland Distinguished Performance Series at Arkansas State University’s Fowler Center on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m. The last time a “Vincent” performed at the Fowler Center was her brother’s duo, Dailey and Vincent, in the spring of 2012. It’s been exactly five years since Rhonda and her band The Rage performed at A-State.

With five Grammy nominations, five consecutive Entertainer of the Year Awards from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America, and an unprecedented seven consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year Awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, Vincent’s band is the most awarded band in bluegrass music. Vincent has worked with many top bluegrass and country musicians in the business such as Dolly Parton, Allan Jackson, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, George Jones, and Merle Haggard.

“Rhonda Vincent is a true superstar in the world of bluegrass music. With no argument from within the bluegrass music community, she is truly the undisputed ‘Queen of Bluegrass Music,’” says Marty Scarbrough, KASU program director and organizer of the station’s Bluegrass Monday monthly events. “Her dynamic stage presence, energetic performances and passionate presentation of bluegrass music will appeal to everyone from the most die-hard of bluegrass music fans to those who have never before experienced live bluegrass music.”

KASU and KAIT-TV are sponsors for the presentation.

Vincent, who plays mandolin and fiddle, spent a good deal of time finding musicians that really fit the style of music she wants to do. The Rage is made up of Hunter Berry (fiddle/mandolin), Brent Burke (resophonic guitar), Mickey Harris (upright bass), Josh Williams (guitar), and Aaron McDaris (banjo/guitar). The quality of her band musicians and her beautiful vocals and strong musicianship have made her a headliner in the bluegrass genre.

While Vincent does not release a set-list of songs for her concerts ahead of time, she promises to “do a little bit of everything.” With over 250 days on the road a year, that’s one of her secrets to fighting burnout. “That keeps everybody sharp!” she says. “It’s all very spontaneous.

All seating is reserved. Individual tickets for the Riceland Distinguished Performance Series are $30 and $20 for adults, and $23 and $15 for senior citizens and students, $24 and $16 for A-State faculty and staff, and $10 and $6 for A-State students with a current ID. Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Season Tickets are also available and offer a savings of nearly 30 percent.

Tickets may be purchased at the ASU Central Box Office in the Convocation Center, 217 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro, or by calling (870) 972-ASU1 or by calling toll-free at (888) ASU-FANS. Tickets are also available online from the ASU Central Box Office (http://www.astate.edu/a/tickets/) and from Fowler Center (www.yourfowlercenter.com).